Farrell keeping his feet on the ground

ENGLAND No.10 Owen Farrell seemingly has the world at his feet but the man dubbed the ‘new Jonny Wilkinson’ insists he is far from being the finished article just yet.

Since bursting on to the scene during the 2012 Six Nations, Farrell has made the England No.10 shirt his own despite the likes of Toby Flood and Freddie Burns doing their best to wrestle it from him.

And 364 days since that Red Rose debut, Farrell was back out for England against the same opponents, helping lift another Calcutta Cup as he converted seven of his eight kicks.

This deadeye accuracy with the boot, as well as his misspass to send Geoff Parling galloping away for a try, means Farrell’s name is now one of the first on Stuart Lancaster’s teamsheet.

But the Saracens man isn’t about to get carried away, adamant that at 21 he still has a lot to learn.

“People seem to talk about me as if I have made it and have nothing to learn but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I know I am not the finished article by any means,” he said.

“You have got to focus on what is in front of you and if you take your eye off it you will slip up. There are a lot of good players to come and take your place if you don’t do that.

“The more big games you play in, the more experience you get and the better you are as a player normally and that is what I am trying to do.”

Such has been Farrell’s meteoric rise that he is already been talked about as a shoe-in for the British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia this summer only a year-and-a-half out since making his international debut.

This Sunday sees the only other man seemingly capable of stealing that fly-half spot from Farrell as England travel to the Aviva Stadium to take on Ireland and Jonathan Sexton.

But Farrell isn’t about to get boggeddowninwhatmighthappen this summer, instead concentrating on the job at hand.

“Sexton is an outstanding player. He controls a game really well and can do things others can’t, that is why he has earned a big money move,” he added.

“But I will let everyone else talk about who should be in the Lions squad or who should start at fly-half.

“It has not and will not enter my mind.

“I am focused on the Six Nations now and nothing else with England.”

Owen Farrell is representing the England team for Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Official partner of the RFU. Marriott Hotels & Resorts is giving away a two night break in Europe every time England score a try in the RBS 6 Nations. For your chance to win or for more details go to facebook.com/ MarriottHotelsUK.